In which our protagonists, needing an outlet for their family-related news, succumb to the inexorable pull of the blogosphere.

… and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, except for a mouse (and a keyboard).

It’s almost midnight and it’s very peaceful right now.

This is a special Christmas Eve. This will be our first year ever celebrating Christmas in our own house, and it seems appropriate that tonight we await the birth of a child.

Jami’s parents are here with us, and they are taking good care of us while we all prepare for the arrival of the newest member of the family. He’s not officially due until January 13th, but the smart money says he’ll be with us before New Year’s. In fact, we went to the hospital this morning at 3 am, and they charted Jami’s contractions for a while and had us walk around the hospital for an hour before sending us home. I have a feeling we’ll be back soon.

I feel good that we are so much better-prepared for this birth, and that Jami has made it to 37 weeks. Jami’s fast and early labor with Colm was quite a shock to both of us. This time, she was determined to get things ready ahead of time and make sure we have more support before, during, and after the labor. There are certainly many things we didn’t get done, which is probably mostly my fault, but I think the essentials are in place. The car is packed, lists of helpers compiled, furniture and child care arranged, and now we wait. There has already been a lot of waiting. Jami had to spend nearly a month on partial bed rest, and we are very grateful Cheri was able to come out and help us for the past several weeks as well as planning to stay after the birth.

This year we have the skinniest Christmas tree in the world. It has to be to survive the rowdy almost-3-year-old who careens past it every few minutes. I am very proud of how Colm is growing up. He is sensitive and talkative and curious and mischievous and beautiful. I feel blessed to have him as a son and I think he’ll be a good big brother.

Right now I am savoring the quiet time with nothing needing to be done. Somehow I think that will change soon… so I should probably get some sleep.